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SENATE HANSARD 06 MARCH 2025 VOL 34 NO 32

PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE

Thursday, 6^th March, 2025

The Senate met at Half–past Two o’clock p.m.

PRAYERS

(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE

SWITCHING OFF OF CELL PHONES

         THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  I have to inform Hon. Senators to put their gadgets on silence or better still, switch them off.

         HON. SEN. MBOHWA: On a point of national interest.  I rise to address this august House as we look forward to the Commemoration of International Women’s Day on Saturday 8^th March, 2025. 

         As we join the global community in celebrating the achievements of women and recommitting ourselves to the pursuit of gender parity, it is important to reflect on this year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, which resonates with Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to empower women and girls across all sectors of the society.

         Mr. President, remarkably, Zimbabwe has made significant strides in advancing gender equality on legislative reforms that protect women’s rights to initiate and promoting women’s participation in leadership, education and the economy as a whole.  Mr. President, while we applaud the Government for these efforts, challenges were met, deep-rooted cultural norms and societal attitudes continue to hinder women’s progress. Gender stereotypes and discriminatory practices often limit women’s access to opportunities and decision-making roles. Very few women own land, houses, businesses, mines and so forth.

         Therefore, as we celebrate International Women’s Day on Saturday 8^th March, 2025, as the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus, we call upon the Government to accelerate action and ensure that more women rise and break the glass ceiling.   For Parliament, we plead for increased funding and resources dedicated to the Gender in Politics initiative in all ministries.

         Mr. President, together, we can accelerate action and build a Zimbabwe where every woman and girl can achieve their full potential.  I thank you.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE

APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Today is Thursday and following the Standing Orders, we start with Questions Without Notice. As usual, I have a very long list of apologies, sadly. The list of apologies is as follows; Hon. General Rtd. Dr. C. D. G. N. Chiwenga, the Vice President; Hon. Colonel Rtd. K. C. D Mohadi, the Vice President; Hon. M. Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. Machakaire, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Hon. Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Hon. Kazembe, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Hon. Mavetera, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services; Hon. M. Ndlovu, the Minister of Industry and Commerce; Hon. F. Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development; Hon. J.G, Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development; Hon. K. D. Mnangagwa, the Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Hon. E. Jesaya, Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture; Hon. J. Mhlanga, Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; Hon. C. Sanyatwe, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Hon. Mazungunye, Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Hon. A. Gata, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education; Hon. R. Modi, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce;  Hon. Y. Simbanegavi, Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development;  Hon. M. Ncube, Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities  and Hon. D. Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement.

 In the Chamber today, we have Hon. T. Moyo, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education; Hon. O. Marupi, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and Hon. D. Phuti, Deputy Minister of ICT.

Can we then start with those ministers who are present and hopefully, we will be joined by other Ministers as we progress?

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

*HON. SEN. ZINDI: My question, through you, is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Hon. Moyo. I would like to find out what is Government policy through his Ministry of Education with regards to sports and schools? Firstly, there is what they call affiliation fee which is supposed to be paid by all learners and paid by every school to the association to NAPH and NASH. The amount is quite high because it is paid by every learner at every school.  When the students participate, the winners are given a prize of a plate of sadza that costs a dollar. The teachers who manage the competitions are given allowances. My question is, how come the students or learners are given a dollar plate of sadza while the teachers are given allowances? Will that motivate the learners when they are not even given prizes such as a laptop or having their fees paid just as an example, to motivate them so that they compete energetically while the teachers are given allowances and that money is paid by every learner to affiliate into those organisations. They get their meals from chicken slice but they give learners just a plate of sadza at a dollar. So, what is the policy?

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO): Thank you Mr. President of the Senate. I also like to thank Hon. Senator Zindi for the question.

Indeed, learners pay for sports fees at primary and secondary schools. They pay so that learners may be able to compete in various sports disciplines. The fees are also paid to ensure that schools can travel to go and compete as well as being able to hire transport such as buses.

Schools that have buses will then be able to procure fuel to travel properly. These fees are very important, especially during this time when we have launched the Heritage-Based Curriculum. It encourages that all learners must exhibit their skills, be it in sports or academically as well as promoting their talents.

We have seen that some of the learners are able to compete at national level and can actually represent the country as they compete, be it in Africa or Europe. Yes, learners who compete cannot fail to get food but it is not only food. Those who win get certificates and trophies from their schools as well as these organisations such as NAPH and NASH at primary and secondary schools respectively.

Yes, indeed teachers should be given allowances. I may not respond so much because they will be at work, they are not entitled to allowances. So, we expect that the money is not misused but used properly because the whole idea is to see the competence of the learners which contributes to the development of the country.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: We have just been joined by Hon. Sacco, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development. Welcome Minister.

HON. SEN. BIMHA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity. My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. During the land reform programme, people were settled in areas where there were no schools. We realised that some of the learners were using tobacco bans as classrooms. Sometimes they squash in farmhouses. Are there any plans to assist these resettled people so that education may develop through construction of schools as well as the construction of teachers’ cottages and other infrastructure?

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO): I also like to thank Senator Bimha for the good question. It is true that during the land reform programme, learners were using tobacco bans as classrooms. In some cases, satellite schools were built. In some places, those schools still exist but Government plans, led by President Mnangagwa, is that there will be construction of schools. Last year, there were 90 schools constructed and classrooms were more than 200 classrooms. This year, Government has a lot of plans to refurbish settled schools including such schools where learners use tobacco bans. We were assisted by Government and given funds to ensure that schools are built using such structures or grass and thatch, pole and dagga.   Right now, we are going to refurbish more than 200 schools.

         Yes, we are going to look at all those schools and we want to solve all the problems. We want to reconstruct or refurbish such structures that may be in dilapidation. In resettlement areas, some learners travel more than five kilometers.  In such areas, if we were to get Hon. Senators in this House to inform us where there is need for construction of schools, we can build a school.

Yesterday, I was in Hauna, Manicaland Province, that is where I came from. Learners travel more than 10 kilometers to attend secondary school.  So, we instructed officials in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement as well as the local authorities that we are going to put a school in that area. We sent the local authorities there, the DSIs and other officials. We will then disburse funds for the construction of such schools.

         We also have partners such as OPEC Fund for International Development. They are also giving us resources to do that. OFID was very impressed after looking at all the countries in Africa.  They are glad that we acquitted our funds properly. So, they have since disbursed USD20 million.  We are going to use the uniformed forces to construct those schools so that our learners may get good structures for learning.

I would like to thank Hon. Bimha.  Indeed, the Government is working very hard and being led by President Mnangagwa. We are doing a lot of work. I thank you.

*HON. SEN. SHIRI:  Thank you Hon. Minister, for explaining that you are building more schools but in those schools, the teacher-pupil ratio is one teacher to 75 learners, yet we have qualified teachers who are looking for employment.  What is Government plans to recruit teachers? When are you expecting to recruit more teachers to address that issue? I thank you Mr. President.

         * HON. T. MOYO:  Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank Hon. Senator Shiri but hers is not a supplementary question but a new question all together.  I was expecting a supplementary question where focus is on the refurbishment and construction of schools, especially in resettlement areas.

Nevertheless, let me respond to the Hon. Senator. Indeed, two years ago, the teacher-pupil ratio was 1 to 50.  Last year, we recruited more than 4 000 teachers and the ratio declined.  Indeed, in some schools, it still could be high but on average, the teacher-pupil ratio is 1 to 45.   It is high Mr. President Sir. The Government approved the letter that we wrote as we were budgeting. We requested for 8 000 teachers.  The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion approved. What is left is the Treasury concurrence.

We met the day before yesterday with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion and our Permanent Secretaries and agreed that the Treasury concurrence must be out by this month.  When it comes out, they will inform us how many we may recruit. The Government may not recruit all of them at once because it depends on the budget and resources availability. So, we expect to stagger, maybe we may recruit 4 000: 3 000 the following term and 1 000 the third term.  After recruiting 8 000 teachers, the teacher-pupil ratio will go down. I thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  That is the last supplementary question, we want as many questions as possible.

*HON. SEN. ZINDI:  Thank you for respecting me Mr. President.  My supplementary question is, yes, we heard what the Hon. Minister said on the refurbishment of classrooms but there are some learners that have to cross bridges or rivers.  During this rain season, some of the learners may not be able to attend school because they stay across rivers.

During that construction programme, do they also have in mind the construction of foot bridges?  Especially in the Zindi area where you referred to, there are those bridges that are called Mudhebhedhebhe, it is now old and dilapidated. I have forgotten the name, for example of one such bridge.  Are they also budgeting for that so that learners may be able to attend school? I thank you.

* HON. T. MOYO:  Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank Senator Zindi for the supplementary question.

         The funds that were allocated are meant for classrooms.  Bridges are under the purview of another ministry, which is Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.  I would suggest that Hon. Senators as well as Members of Parliament, put such specific questions to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to request with the specific areas.  For example, at Zindi, there is such a school where there is no bridge.

As the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education as well as non-formal education, we do not encourage learners to cross flooded rivers. It is better for them to stay at home because as we speak, this year alone, we lost lives of learners who were attempting to cross flooded rivers.  They should not attempt to cross rivers when they are in flood unless the rivers are dry. I thank you Mr. President.

         THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  Can we welcome the Minister of State for National Security, Hon. Matuke, and the Leader of Government Business in the Senate.

^^HON. SEN. MOHADI: Good afternoon Mr. President. My question this afternoon is with regards to people who are staying closer to our country's borders, which could be Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique, who are unable to get radio and TV frequencies. Even at times, they cannot use their phone but instead use networks from the neighbouring countries and they cannot get access to information from their country. Whether they are advertisements for nursing or military trainings, they cannot access those things. They need to get information.

^^THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICE (HON. MARUPI): Thank you Mr. President of the Senate. I would like to thank Hon. Senator Mohadi for the good question. I would like to say that under the Second Republic of Hon. Dr. Mnangagwa who realises that people staying in the borderline areas are facing challenges of lack of information which reaches these places on time because of lack of radio and television stations, we have realised the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind as always been broadcasted on. Our Excellency then established community radio stations, which are using languages that are used by people from these different borderline areas like Beitbridge, an area called Mlambapele in Gwanda, Plumtree, Binga, and Chiredzi.

These stations have been awarded licences. In addition to this, His Excellency has also encouraged that towers be erected in these areas for network purposes. So, the ICT Department is working together with the Minister of ICT so that when they are erecting their cell phone and network towers, we also erect radio frequency towers.

Mr. President of the Senate, allow me to use Venda, Ndebele, Shona and Sotho so that I can respond effectively to this august House. Under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, nobody  and no place should be left behind. So, as the Minister of Information, we were empowered to ensure that we licence community radio stations so that those in borderline areas cannot be left behind. Therefore, we have since passed on the programme of radio licencing but now we are focussing on the programme of boosters or base stations although that one is under the ICT Ministry but we install our transmitters.

HON. SEN. GOTORA: Yes, I am not sure whether his Ministry is the one which is also responsible for telecommunications. If so, 45 years after independence, a district called Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe has not got one single telephone line.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, order! That falls under the purview of Minister Phuti, correct? So, you ask that as a fresh question separately.

^∞HON. SEN. FANUEL: Thank you Mr. President of the Senate. We all know that when a person dies, their body sleeps in state before burial. In Binga, the mortuary has not been working for over a year. What is the problem? What is happening is, soon after death, the person is stored or buried just close to the hospital in Binga, which shows no respect to the deceased. The mortuary has not been working for over a year now and that is very problematic to the people of Binga.

Why is it not working because people need to be assisted? I thank you.

         *THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE):  Thank you Mr. President. I would like to appreciate the question by the Hon. Senator.  I believe this is a very good question but it is not a policy question.  It is a specific question, so we need to investigate what exactly is happening.  It is a specific area that we should look at.  We need to specifically investigate it.   It is not a policy issue.  I thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  Hon. Senator, I would urge that you put your question in writing because it is a specific question about Binga and it is a specific area that the Minister should look into.  I thank you.

*HON. SEN. KADUNGURE:  Thank you Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to pose my question to the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Matuke.  My question is, in this country, we would like to thank God for giving us abundant mineral resources but amongst those minerals, are there any opportunities for women who might have claims that are specifically meant for women?   I thank you.

*HON. SEN. MATUKE:  Women are very respected by the Government of the Second Republic.  So, in that respect, they have been empowered through various posts.  We all know that some important offices are led by women.  Government put in place Zimbabwe Women's Microfinance Bank.  There is no bank made for men alone but we meet in other banks, yet there is specifically a women's bank which shows that Government respects that when women organise themselves, they can work since they were left behind in terms of empowerment.  We now expect that through that empowerment, they can catch up with their male counterparts.

There are no specific programmes but if they organise themselves, I think that can be relayed to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development.  If you were to put your question or your request in writing addressing it to the Ministry Informing, that you are an organisation of women and you want to venture into mining, I think you can be assisted.  I thank you.

+HON. SIBANDA:  Thank you Mr. President.  What I wish to know is why do we have to work in organisations as women?  Why can we not be able to access those funds as individuals instead of asking me to first of all organise other women to get funding?  I thank you Mr. President.

HON. SEN. MATUKE:  If I got the Hon. Senator well, the Hon. Senator is saying can we not get those funds as individuals?  I wanted to say the explanation that I was giving is on the unity of women but in this country, we have opportunities that as a woman alone, you can look for funding, be it through banks but firstly, we have a Women's Bank that is specifically for women but women are free to approach banks to get funding for projects as individuals.

Government also has funds meant for women but it can be through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.  Some of the funding is through cooperatives as well as other funding that can be accessed as individuals.  We encourage that for women to do that if they want to operate as individuals, it is possible.  I thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  Before I was interrupted, I was saying Hon. Mupamhanga, the Deputy Minister for Youth, Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training has joined the proceedings.  Welcome Minister.

HON. SEN. M. NCUBE:  Thank you Mr. President.  My question is directed at the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development.  We appreciate the work which was done at Beitbridge in terms of expanding the border post and also modernising it.  My question is, what plans does Government have to expand and modernise border posts, particularly Forbes Border Posts where truckers are experiencing delays of up to three days, Hon.  Minister?  I thank you, Mr. President.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO):  Thank you Mr. President.  I would also like to thank Hon. Sen. Ncube for his question but also his contribution in appreciating the modernising and upgrading of the Beitbridge Border Post which I believe has put our country, Zimbabwe, at another level.

Our Ministry is seized with projects on upgrading and modernising border posts as our ports of entry facilitate trade, tourism and really open up our country to commerce.   So as a Ministry, we are looking at Forbes Border Post which, as rightly said, has traffic of about 450 trucks per day going out of the country and an average of 420 to 450 coming in.  So the border post is very busy, which in itself is a good thing for the country but with Forbes Border Post, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development has gone into a public-private partnership with Forbes Border Consortium who have been awarded a concession to construct and upgrade the border post at Forbes to allow for a one-stop border post expansion of the border itself, thus allowing seamless trade through the border and the concession has been signed in the near past and we are looking that within the next couple of months, the Forbes Border Consortium shall be on the ground commencing work on this very important project. With the Chirundu Border Post, a similar arrangement is in place as well where a concession has also been allocated for the upgrading of Chirundu. We are hoping that within this year 2025, works will also commence on the Chirundu Border Post. We are also looking at other border posts across the country but to mention the two, Forbes and Chirundu, these have reached financial closure and we expect works to start in the near future. Thank you.

         *HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me the opportunity. I wanted the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement but since he is not around; I wanted a quick attention to this question. I direct to Hon. Minister Matuke. We are now in March and those who grow wheat are now preparing so that they start planting in April/May. Most of the farmers have not been paid for wheat that they sold last year. Congratulations that we are now self-sufficient in terms of wheat. Whilst we celebrate that, let us pay the farmers because they may not be able to go back to do farming. I thank you.

         *THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you for the question from Hon. Senator Chief Charumbira who is the Leader of the African Parliament. It is important that when we encourage our farmers to be active in agriculture, we should also be paying them on time. The request here is that there are some farmers that have not been paid. That is the request that we will submit to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion. Although the Government had started paying, I know that they are still outstanding.

         So, as you are aware Hon. Senator Chief Charumbira, we will inform them that they need to motivate the farmers to go back to their farms after paying them but indeed the funds are needed for so many things. I am not in disagreement and we will put the question forward to Treasury. I thank you.

         THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: While still on that, we cannot rush to pay foreign farmers like we do when we import. Our farmers have answered the Government call to be self-sufficient in wheat. They grow the wheat and they are not paid. Morally, I think it does not sit well. You really need to follow this up urgently. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-

         *HON. SEN. SHIRI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this good opportunity. Firstly, I would like to appreciate representing the disability constituency and the opportunity we are given by His Excellency, President E. D. Mnangagwa for giving us empowerment programmes as well as respecting us. My question to the Leader of Government Business is, what measures are you taking to ensure that people with disabilities are not left behind, be it in allocation of land, employment, allocation of tractors and a lot of issues?

In some provinces, some are implementing and others are not. What measures are you taking to ensure that it is no longer theory only, but it is practical and fulfilled so that no one is left behind in terms of development because they have disabilities?  

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE:  Before we go any further, I would want to recognise the presence of the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi and the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Hon. Muswere. Welcome Hon. Ministers.

* THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you Mr. President. I also like to appreciate the question from the Hon. Senator with regards to people with disabilities to access empowerment and that they are being left behind. Let me say, Government has put a ministry responsible for that, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare which has quite a number of policies that encourage wholesome development so that no one is left behind or discriminated with regards to disabilities.

We should work together with the Department of Social Welfare, through their offices throughout the country so that we have programmes. We also would like to say, it is not all people with disabilities being subjects of the social welfare. There are other organisations that are being supported by Government without scrutinising whether that person is disabled.

I encourage the Hon. Senator to work hand-in-hand with Government to organise such people so that they know their rights and that they are accorded everything that is accessible to all in the country. We encourage that we get such organisations that will put pressure on Government but there are a lot of things Government can do to help people. Yesterday as we speak, the President met people with disabilities encouraging them and emphasised that Government supports them. I thank you.

         Questions Without Notice were interrupted by the    HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in terms of Standing Order No. 67.

         HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I move that the time for Questions Without Notice be extended for a further fifteen minutes.

         HON. SEN. MOHADI:  I second.

         Motion put and agreed to.

         THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  Extended not by fifteen but by thirty minutes.

         HON. SEN. MDHLURI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to pose my question. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development.  In a few months, Zimbabwe will be hosting a very important event, an international event of the Ramsar Convention. I want to find out as a Ministry, how we are with regards to repairing the roads, especially the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road.  On the same vein, if there is any progress, what exactly are you doing this time around so that we may not see what we saw recently; Lorraine Drive was repaired but damaged after a few months and such other roads?

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): Thank you Mr. President, I would also like to thank Hon. Senator Mdhluri for that important question.  That road from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls is truly an important road to us as a country because Victoria Falls is the Convention Centre that hosts a lot of international meetings and tourism since it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  As a Ministry, your plan from Beitbridge to Bulawayo as well as Bulawayo to Victoria Falls needs to be reconstructed under the private-public partnership.  Bitumen World was awarded that contract from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls through Bulawayo.  As you know, we respect that company for working professionally and as you are aware that some part of the road stretches that they constructed, they did it professionally and diligently.  So our plan is, before they start working on that road because it takes time, they have a pothole patching programme as well as temporary measures for the road to be accessible.

         I am glad to inform you that is our plan.  We want the road to be started from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls and we then install tollgates so that the investor may recoup their money.

         THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: The more supplementaries you raise, the less questions we are going to have.  I want you to understand that. I know everybody has got a very important supplementary but I want you to realise that more supplementaries, less questions. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]– Do you want us to do supplementaries only for the next thirty minutes? Order, order! I have the final say.

         HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Hon. Minister, may you give us timeframes instead of telling us from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls, after how many years?  We expect that by June, that road must be done.

         HON. SACCO: Thank you Mr. President. Hon. Senator Chief Charumbira, I am afraid of giving you a timeframe because you are a chief.  I may not be moving freely because you will be accusing me of promising you that.  The truth is, as a Ministry, we expect that the project should be started very soon.  Right now, they are analysing the road and they are also looking at the traffic flows considering their business plan and expecting how long they can recover their money.  That is the feasibility study.  They are also looking for funding to start the construction of that road.  We expect that the concession will be signed very soon and work will start.  I am afraid that I cannot give you that timeframe.

         THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Yes Hon. Minister, you responded but the point raised by Senator Chief is very important.

         HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Mr. President. That question is the one which was raised by Hon. Senator Chief Charumbira because it is as if we are just discussing if there are no specific timelines. I thank you.

         HON. SEN. MUPFUMIRA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity.  I want to say Ramsar is a global conference that will never come back again.  It is the one that will be done in July.  I am glad that Minister, you are saying you have a plan.  Right now, we are not talking about the plan from Beitbridge but we are talking of the plan from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls.  If you have ever used that road, it is not about potholes, there is totally no road.  People are using the bush, yet the conference has a date already.  It is in July.  It is very important.  Do we want to embarrass ourselves as a country?  Victoria Falls on its own without Conference of Parties (COPs) is very important.  It is very advanced, COPs is coming to Zimbabwe.  It will never come back in our lifetime.  If we say we are going to plan this and that, there are no potholes, there is no road, people are travelling in the bush.  As a Committee, we went there and there is no tarred road.  People are using the bush on the sides of the road.

*HON. SEN. MAVENYENGWA: I wanted to say that these important projects on the roads, the problem is that some of those roads are stopped before they are completed. We started with the Beitbridge, Harare and Chirundu. Right now in Masvingo, there is 76 kilometres that has not been done. Currently, we are talking about new projects. What are we going to do to the old project? I thank you.

 *THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): Thank you, Mr. President. I want to respond to the first question on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road. There are some sections or areas that are inaccessible totally. There are four areas that we have put aside where there will be new surfaces, asphalt overlay. That work will start in the near future. However, I would like to inform the House as well on our plan as the Ministry of Roads with regards to the maintenance units. This is because some of the roads require repairs that should be done by the Ministry of Transport because giving contractors is very expensive.

So, as a Ministry, we realise that it is important that we need to upgrade our maintenance units. Right now, we are in the process of procuring equipment such as graders and tippers as well as asphalt plants which we have since procured and are on their way. This will enable us where we can maintain as a Ministry, we can chip in and do that. That would be very helpful because it reduces the procurement procedures that are too long. The truth is that there is no work that can be done without tendering as well as procuring. Moreover, those are some of the bureaucracies that delay work.

Indeed, right now, I am glad to say we are upgrading our maintenance units and are procuring our equipment including asphalt plants in order for us to work on some of the roads. I got the request from this House to ensure that the road is worked. The other question that was raised by Hon. Senator Mavenyengwa. It is true that along the Masvingo- Beitbridge Road, there are 88 kilometres that are outstanding. Some of the places were stopped because of the bridges that have to be constructed. In some areas, it is the contractors that are delaying that work. We agreed that the Harare-Chirundu work will be stopped so that they finish the Harare- Beitbridge Road first. I thank you.

HON. SEN. MATIBIRI: Thank you, Mr. President. I will try to be short. I am directing this question to the Leader of Government Business in this House. Zimbabwe is a sports loving nation. Only last week, Hon. Minister, we read in the media that some patriotic Zimbabweans were stranded in South Africa when they had accompanied our women's national team there. This is because our sports facilities have been declared unfit to host international matches.

Hon. Minister, how much progress has been made in respect of the rehabilitation of our stadium, in particular the National Sports Stadium and other football stadiums? When can we expect our national teams to play at home so that Zimbabweans can attend to their business of loving soccer? Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (HON. SEN. MATUKE): Thank you very much Mr. President and I want to thank the Senator for...

HON. SEN. PHULU: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. There is a motion pending in this House, exactly on that question.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  I am not a Speaker.

HON. SEN. PHULU: Sorry Mr. President, I apologise. There is a motion precisely on that. Maybe what we should do is invite the Minister to attend and listen to the debates in front of him.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE:  Okay. Minister, you are off the hook? I think the House is expecting a very strong debate on that. We expect the Minister to come and respond. I must say, this session, we are getting a better response of ministers responding to motions. Please keep up that spirit. - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]

         *HON. SEN. GOTORA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to ask my question. I would like to applaud the President's desire to ensure that no place and no one is left behind with regards to development. My question is directed to the Minister of Information. I have not seen him and I am glad that he came. Hon. Minister, what is the telecommunications policy in this country because these days education is being done mainly through the internet and other channels so that they are able to learn?

We have other districts, a whole district that has no single landline telephone, such as Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, 45 years after independence, no telephone. But before independence, there were telephones which we broke when we were fighting for liberation. What is the plan with regards to ensuring that such areas get telephone lines? I thank you.

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: It is ICT, is that not correct?

HON. PHUTI: Thank you, Mr. President. In his wisdom to drive a digital economy and accelerate on principles of inclusivity and access, His Excellency, the President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa launched a programme called the National Mobile Broadband Phase 3 a few years ago, which saw the launch last year, by the Vice President, Hon. K. C. D. Mohadi of 76 base stations across the country, as well as 20 more base stations that were 5G, coupled with 14 base stations that were constructed under the Universal Service Fund. This is to indicate the seriousness of the issue of access. The Hon. Senator has highlighted specifically the issue regarding Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe. What I know very well is that there has been some mapping by all mobile network operators, including operators, internet service provision, to look at all areas across the country.

I know that the issue of telecommunication lines in today's technology has been replaced by issues of fibre and in this day, we know about some low earth orbit satellites as well as some mobile network operators providing network. I, however, want to invite the Hon. Senator to probably furnish this august House with a written question, which will enable us make a research to satisfy the House with a comprehensive report specifically on Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe.   I thank you.

THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. KAMBIZI): Thank you very much, Hon. Minister.

*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHIKWAKA. Thank you, Mr. President.  I would like to pose my question to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.   My question Mr. President is, looking at the 90 days that have elapsed since the suspension of funding from the United States of America as well as Netherlands, what is Government's plan with regards to assisting people who were benefiting from assistance that was stopped by President Donald Trump?  Some of the beneficiaries are people that have chronic diseases and some are disabled. What is Government’s plan with regards to providing the assistance until such a time when we receive funding?  I thank you Mr. President.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA): Thank you Mr. President. From what I got from the Senator, I think that question is supposed to be responded to by the Minister of Health since it is about diseases. I thank you.

*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHIKWAKA. I think there was a mix-up with regards to health and what I am saying, the American President stopped foreign aid that was being used to procure items used for various things, in health as well as for people with disabilities. So, as the Minister of Social Welfare, what is the plan with regards to ensuring that people get the requisite assistance in the interim? I thank you.

HON DINHA:  Thank you Mr. President.  With regards to the assistance that we get from other countries and organisations, yes, they chip in but Government will have started the programmes. Just like with regards to feeding programmes, it is Government that will have started and some then come to chip in. Just like with the drought assistance, there are seven districts which were getting foreign Aid and we are availing food assistance. The assistance that was removed will not affect people and people will not starve because of that. The President declared that no one will starve to death, no one will be left behind and no place will be left behind. That is why when that assistance was stopped, Government continued to assist the beneficiaries that stopped getting foreign Aid. So, even if they stop their assistance, nothing changes. Government continues because these are Government programmes.   Those who chip in only ride on existing Government programmes. I thank you.

HON. SEN. GUMPO:  Thank you Mr. President. My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.  I want to understand Hon. Minister, in the past when learners were going to school and paid fees, you would get textbooks and all the requisite stationery. But right now, a learner stops going to school because they do not have books or stationery. What is Government's plan in order to restore those services that were there in the past when stationery was available in schools? Thank you Mr. President.

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T MOYO):  I would like to thank the Hon. Senator for the question posed. Government's plan is to use budgeted funds. Every year, we get money to procure stationery, which includes textbooks, pencils, rulers, and exercise books. This year, we met and we agreed that we must put aside funds for stationery, which includes textbooks and exercise books. Right now, the Heritage-Based Education requires new textbooks. The plan that we have currently is to ensure that those books are printed and taken to the schools so that when they share those books, the pupil-textbook ratio will be good. Yes, we have the funds but sometimes there is a delay in disbursement and that is when parents are asked to buy stationery. I would also like to encourage parents to know that it is their right to buy books for their children while we wait for Government assistance.  Let us procure stationery for our children so that the load is alleviated both for the school and our children.  I thank you.

HON. SEN. TSHABANGU:  Hon. Minister, our education system has dilapidated. There has been a decline of about 86% in 2021 to 24% in 2023 in the pass rate for grade 7 and a decline of 29% pass rate for the ordinary level.  My follow-up question is, what is the Ministry doing in terms of teacher training development in order to improve our pass rate, curriculum enhancement, community involvement, infrastructure development and individualised support? There is no nation that can develop without education. Our education system in this country is a major concern, if not a security concern. I thank you.

 

THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. T. MOYO): Thank you Hon. Senate President for the opportunity and I would like to appreciate the question asked by Hon. Senator Tshabangu.

Education is an enabler. It is a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution. Section 75 of the Constitution stipulates that it is the responsibility of Government to provide all the necessities that our students need so that we can attain Sustainable Development Goal Number 4, which seeks to provide relevant, quality, inclusive and equitable education.

Mr. President, it is not true that standards of education are declining. We have seen a graph in terms of an increase in the pass rate from 2021 until 2024. Last year we managed to maintain the pass rate at Advanced Level. We maintained it at 95 percent and that is an excellent result. Honestly, you should be able to appreciate the hard work that our teachers are doing, that they have always been doing.

We have seen a rise at all levels. The results that we released for the 2024 Ordinary Level Examinations, we almost matched what was produced in 1984. That was historic, where the pass rate increased by five percent. That is a testament that our teachers are working tirelessly. At grade seven, they spoke of 27 percent. The pass rate at grade seven my brother, was 49 percent, an increase from 45 percent. That is again, evidence of the sterling work that our teachers are doing.

In terms of teacher capacitation, we are doing a lot Mr. President. In terms of training, teacher capacity, manpower development, we are training our teachers so that they can provide all the requisite skills that are needed, particularly as we roll-out and implement the Heritage-Based Curriculum, where we want to produce a learner fit for the 21^st century. Among the skills that we want, we want our students to dream big, to realise and appreciate societal challenges and come up with a problem to address those challenges.

We are not only focusing on academic achievement, we are looking at the totality of a student, looking at all the attributes. We want to identify the talent of particular individuals from sporting disciplines, technical and vocational education. We want to vocationalise our education.  We want to catch our students young. Very soon, we will get to a point when we are going to introduce engineering schools, engineering schools from early childhood development up to form six, musical schools, sporting schools. That is the essence of the Heritage-Based Curriculum and I am happy with the type of curriculum that we are rolling out.

We have also roped in professors from Russia. Just two weeks ago, I was in Russia, accompanying a group of teachers who were training in artificial intelligence, robotics and coding. That is what is needed in our schools.

We are rolling out innovation hubs. In Harare, we have three innovation hubs but we have said to our partners, let us go to the rural areas. That is where the competencies are needed in terms of digital technology which we need to give them so that we bridge the gaps, the disparities which used to exist between rural schools and urban schools. So, we are doing a lot as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. In addition to that, we have scholarships for our teachers, those who are majoring in STEM subjects. We have the Bindura University, the University of Zimbabwe and the Midlands State University. We are giving them free bursaries, the teachers who are majoring in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, IT and free education. Those are the efforts that are being implemented by the Government. We are very happy with that and in two years Mr. President, I project that the pass rate at all levels will exceed 50 percent. Thank you very much.

HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you very much Mr. President. My question was supposed to be directed to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs who was here but he has left and the Leader of the House has also left. So, what should I do?

THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: With all due respect, I think we can shelve it and then you will have to ask it next week. You can have it written down, then we will give you the first opportunity to ask it next week.

         ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

ADDRESSING OF REMUNERATION DISCREPANCIES AFFECTING TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS

3. HON. SEN. KATUMBA asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to appraise the House on the following: -

(a) What are the Government's plans towards addressing remuneration discrepancies affecting teachers in Government Schools, and

(b) to state the Government policy on the remuneration of teachers in private schools.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA): Mr. President, I refer to the question by  Hon. Senator Katumba regarding Government's plan to address remuneration discrepancies affecting teachers in Government schools. Mr. President, it should be noted that there are no salary discrepancies between teachers in Government schools. Currently, all teachers are paid under a standard Remuneration Framework for the Public Service depending on salary grades, which takes into account such considerations as qualifications and seniority.

However, all the teaching staff is paid a monthly teaching allowance at USD80 paid in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate, which is limited to teachers and headmasters. The following are current levels of remuneration for teachers, deputy headmasters and headmasters. If someone is a headmaster and the grade of the headmaster is grade E3, the total package of the headmaster is USD461, which is payable in USD hard currency of 320 and 141; the balance is payable in ZiG at the prevailing exchange rate.

The deputy headmasters have two grades; there is grade E2 and also grade D3, if the Deputy Headmaster has a degree. If it is grade E2, the total package of remuneration is USD458, which is paid in hard currency, USD320 and the balance in ZiG at the prevailing exchange rate, USD138. For the Deputy Headmaster in D3 grade who has a degree, it is USD448 and it is payable in US dollar hard currency, USD320, and the balance is payable in the prevailing exchange rate at USD128.

It should be noted that if there are any discrepancies, they do arise from personal voluntary deduction, which apply to an individual and this is by choice and cannot be used as a basis to claim differences. Such voluntary deductions include loans, medical, funeral insurance, amongst others.  

Issues of low remuneration and compressed wage differentials can only be addressed through a review of the remuneration framework subject to availability of resources, which we are eagerly waiting for the fiscus to review. Any other discrepancies which might be there across sectors are being dealt with in the context of the job evaluation exercise undertaken by Government.

To answer on the B part, which says that to state the Government policy on the remuneration of teachers in private schools; my response is as follows:  The current Government policy is that private and trust schools determine their own remuneration framework guided by their National Employment Councils next for the welfare and educational institutions. It should be noted that teachers in private and trust schools were removed from the Government payroll in 2016 after the Civil Service Audit Report which noted the commercial aspect of private and trust schools and their capability to determine their own remuneration framework.

POLICY REGARDING LABOUR PRACTICES BY FOREIGN-OWNED COMPANIES

4. HON. SEN. S. MOYO asked the Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Welfare to explain Government policy regarding labour practices by foreign-owned companies operating in Zimbabwe to ensure local employees of these companies are not subjected to unfair labour practices or discriminatory treatment compared to foreign nationals employed by the same companies.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. DINHA): The Government of Zimbabwe is committed to ensuring that all employees, regardless of their nationality of their employer are treated fairly and with respect. The Constitution of Zimbabwe and also the Labour Act Chapter 28.01 and other relevant regulations including collective bargaining agreements, CBAs of National Employment Councils mandates fair treatment and non-discrimination in the workplace.

These laws apply equally to local and foreign-owned companies and are designed to protect the rights of all employees. Foreign-owned companies are required to comply with the same labour laws and regulations as local companies. This includes provisions related to wages, provisions related to working conditions, to health and safety and it also includes non-discrimination.

Following complaints from some stakeholders within the mining industry on the ill-treatment of local employees by foreign employers, His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa launched a responsible mining audit initiative in 2023. As a starting point, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare intensified workplace inspection in the eight provinces across the country to address concerns raised. Compliance with the regulations is therefore monitored regularly through inspections in cases where violations are identified.

Appropriate legal action is taken to ensure corrective measures are implemented. These include withdrawal of licences, closure of businesses, prosecution and deportation of the foreign nationals. Employees who have been subjected to unfair labour practises or discriminatory treatment have the right to report their concerns to their respective National Employment Councils or to the Department of Labour Administration. The ministry provides such mechanisms for addressing disputes such as consolidation and arbitration. I submit Madam President.

CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES AND ROADS ALONG MAITENGWE BORDER POST

5. HON. SEN. S. MOYO asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House why the bridges and roads have not been constructed and renovated along the busy road connecting Maitengwe Border Post, Plumtree, Tsholotsho, and Solusi.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO):  Thank you Madam President. I would like to also thank Hon. Senator S. Moyo who raised the question on why the bridges and roads have not been constructed and renovated along the busy road connecting Maitengwe Border Post, Plumtree, Tsholotsho and Solusi.

         Madam President, allow me to respond as follows. On this road, to date, procurement processes are underway for the construction of the road at the 10km peg along the Plumtree-Maitengwe Road. The project is expected to commence within the first quarter of 2025 upon completing the necessary procurement plans and for expediency, we are also exploring the possibility of public-private partnerships to enhance our capacity to develop sustainable agriculture. I so submit Madam President.

LACK OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AROUND

MAITENGWE BORDER POST

11. HON. SEN. S. MOYO asked the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services to inform the House why there is no internet connectivity around Maitengwe Border Post resulting in locals having to rely on Botswana Network.

         THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. D. PHUTI):  Thank you Hon. Madam President. Let me also thank the Hon. Sen. Solani Njayemunyama Moyo for an important question that was raised some time ago but needed some research to furnish this House appropriately with the answer.

The very precise response is NetOne is going to construct passive infrastructure at the border funded under the PORTRAZ through the Universal Service Fund. NetOne is finalising with the contractor on boarding and expects to complete the process by the end of February, 2025.

Passive infrastructure construction works are scheduled to commence in March, 2025 and scheduled for completion in April, 2025. The base station is scheduled to be on air by 15^th March, 2025 with 2G, 3G and 4G technologies and with all mobile network operators involved. I thank you Madam President.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

ADDRESSING OF REMUNERATION DISCREPANCIES AFFECTING TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS

3. HON. SEN. KATUMBA asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to apprise the House on the following:
4. What Government’s plans towards addressing remuneration discrepancies affecting teachers in Government Schools.
5. To state Government policy on the remuneration of teachers in private schools.

THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. E. MOYO): Madam President, I refer to the question by Hon. Senator Katumba regarding Government’s plans to address remuneration discrepancies affecting teachers in Government schools.

         Madam President, it should be noted that there are salary discrepancies between teachers in Government schools.  Currently, all teachers are paid under a standard remuneration framework from the Public Service depending on the salary grade which takes into account such considerations as qualifications and seniority.  However, all the teaching staff is paid a monthly teaching allowance at USD80 paid in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate, which is limited to teaching and headmasters.

         The following are the current levels of remuneration for teachers, Deputy Headmasters and Headmasters.

DISIGNATION	GRADE	TOTAL PACKAGE	USD PAYABLE IN USD HARD CURRENCY	BALANCE PAYABLE IN ZWG AT PREVAILING EXCHANGE RATE
Headmaster	E3	461	320	141
D/Headmaster	E2	458	320	138
D/Headmaster	D3 (Degree)	448	320	128

 

It should be noted that if there are any discrepancies, they do arise from personal voluntary deduction which apply to an individual and this is by choice and cannot be used as a basis to claim differences.  Such voluntary deductions include such issues as loans, medical and funeral insurance amongst others.  Madam President, issues of low remuneration and compressed wage differentials can only be addressed through a review of the remuneration framework which is subject to availability of resources which we are eagerly waiting for the fiscal review.  Any other discrepancies which might be there across sectors are being dealt with in the context of the job evaluation exercise undertaken by Government.

Madam President, the current Government policy is that private and trust schools determine their own remuneration framework guided by their Nation Employment Council for the Welfare and Education Institutions.  It should be noted that teachers in Private and Trust schools were removed from the Government payroll in 2016 after the Civil Service Audit Report which noted the commercial aspects of private and trust school and their capability to determine their own remuneration framework.

POLICY REGARDING LABOUR PRACTICES BY FOREIGN-OWNED COMPANIES

4. HON. SEN. S. MOYO asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to explain Government policy regarding labour practices by foreign owned companies operating in Zimbabwe to ensure local employees of these companies are not subjected to unfair labour practices or discriminatory treatment compared to foreign nationals employed by the same companies.

         THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. E. MOYO): The Government of Zimbabwe is committed to ensuring that all employees, regardless of the nationality of their employer are treated fairly and with respect. The Constitution of Zimbabwe, Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] and other relevant regulations including Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) of the National Employment Councils (NECs) mandate fair treatment and non-discrimination in the workplace. These laws apply equally to local and foreign-owned companies and are designed to protect the rights of all employees.

         Foreign owned companies are required to comply with the same labour laws and regulations as local companies. This includes provisions related to wages, working conditions, health and safety and non-discrimination. Following complaints from stakeholders within the mining industry on the ill-treatment of local employees by foreign employers, His Excellency President E. D Mnangagwa launched a responsible mining audit initiative in 2023. As a starting point the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare intensified workplace inspections in the eight provinces across the country to address concerns raised. Compliance with the regulations is therefore monitored regularly through inspections. In cases where violations are identified appropriate legal action is taken to ensure corrective measures are implanted. These include withdrawal of licenses, closure of businesses, prosecution and deportation of foreign nationals.

         Employees who have been subjected to unfair labour practises or discriminatory treatment have the right to report their concerns to the respective National Employment Councils or to the Department of Labour Administration. The Ministry provides such mechanisms for addressing disputes such as conciliation and arbitration.

COMPLETION OF DAVIS CAMP BRIDGE

6. HON. SEN. NDEBELE asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development to inform the House when the Davies Camp Bridge which links Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe through Mphoengs Border Post will be completed as it has been outstanding since 2018.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): The Bridge in question spans the Simukwe River, making the boundary between Matobo Districts and Mangwe Districts, and is overseen by rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA). Construction commenced under RIDA’s authority, however, work was suspended due to significant design complications related to geotechnical issues encountered during the construction process. To date, only the bridge approaches have been completed.

The road authority is currently addressing these design anomalies and the associated subsurface conditions. Construction will resume once these matters are resolved, and funding will be pursued to ensure the bridge’s completion. Moreover, we will ensure that RIDA collaborates closely with the office of the Provincial Road Engineer and our Bridges Section within the Department of Roads to expedite the design review process and the subsequent construction of the Bridge.

REHABILITATION OF PLUMTREE-MPOENGS-BEITBRIDGE BORDER POST

7. HON. SEN. NDEBELE asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development to inform the House what measures the Ministry is putting in place to rehabilitate Plumtree-Mphoengs-Beitbridge Border Post which is in a deplorable state of despair.

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. SACCO): The Beitbridge Border Post was successfully upgraded and modernised and was commissioned by His Excellency in September 2022.Government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development acknowledges the importance of the Plumtree and Mpoengs Border Post, and has since commenced engagements with various partners to upgrade and modernise the aforementioned border post.

Questions with Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in terms of Standing Order Number 67.

MOTION

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

HON. SEN. MUZENDA:  I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 17 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 18 has been disposed of.

HON. SEN. GOTORA:  I second.

Motion put and agreed to.

MOTION

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PROSECUTOR-GENERAL FOR UPHOLDING THE DIGNITY OF THE OFFICE

         Eighteenth Order read:  Adjourned debate on motion on the transparency of the operations of the Prosecutor General’s office.

Question again proposed.

HON. SEN. PHULU: Thank you Madam President. As this is the 20^th day of this motion, before I beg leave or I move that this House adopts the report, I would like to thank the House for participating in the debate of this report and thank those Hon. Members who did take up this debate.

Although this debate is a very formal debate, simply appreciating the manner in which the Prosecutor General's Office has discharged its mandate to disclose publicly, the general principles by which her office conducts criminal proceedings, particularly by publishing the guidelines that enhance the independence and accountability of the Prosecutor General's Office, the debate did raise important issues which highlight the need for these guidelines to be known publicly.  The debate will have alerted members of the public of the existence of these guidelines so that from time to time, they read this Statutory Instrument to know how these prosecutions are done and exactly which principles are applied so that these prosecutions are done fairly and are also seen to be fair.

         Madam President, with these few remarks, appreciating the vigour with which the House took up this motion and also appreciating, obviously the manner in which this particular office of the Prosecutor General has applied itself, I move with your leave, Madam President, that this House adopts this motion.

         Motion that this House-

NOTING WITH APPRECIATION the manner in which the Prosecutor-General’s office formulates and publicly discloses general principles by which her office conducts criminal proceedings;

AND WHEREAS there exist guidelines that enhance independence and accountability of the Prosecutor-General;

NOW, THEREFORE, this House congratulates the Prosecutor-General for upholding the dignity of her office and independence as demonstrated by the updating of prosecutorial guidelines for the efficient discharge of her duties through the publishing of the General Notice 870 of 2024 in the Government Gazette, put and agreed to.

On the motion of HON. SEN. MUZENDA, seconded by HON. SEN. GOTORA, the Senate adjourned at Twenty-Nine Minutes to Five o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 18^th March, 2025.